Wednesday, November 23, 2016

The Black Friday Hit List (for Thoughtful Parents Who Want More)

Are you ready to shop until you drop? Just kidding. I don't believe we should respond to Black Friday this way. Ninety percent of the items in this list contain products that Toys As Tools testers has personally tested and approved. For the sake of brevity, this will just be a list. The toys were submitted for consideration. Payment for inclusion is impossible. Note: Re: Amazon and Marbles: Putting items into your cart after going through my link means that you are supporting Toys As Tools just by purchasing something as you would normally do but a little percentage will go to TAT so thanks in advance! As you will see, a lot of the deals will be on the home sites of the products. Go ahead shop around! May you get the very best deal this holiday season.Before you go ahead, just know that I have outlined the dates effective as best as I can so before you press "complete my order," just make sure you definitely have the deal you were looking for. Black Friday is a frenzied time. One deep breath before you press "go" can make a huge difference. Speak directly with merchant if you have questions.

25% Off - code: BRIKFRIDAY (12am-11:59pm PT)I am on line to try this out. Wish I had this now. I'm dying to make something with this. Oh, and my kids are too. The special design features better stability (they should be better than the average LEGO large flat plate) and more flexibility for redecorating the tiles (no tearing off your nail). Why? They have this special picker thing that helps pick off tile and plate pieces off of larger plates. Also, check out their own pieces. Some act like hooks/holders. Some are just 1x1 plates but they sell theirs on their site so you can plan and make your own mosaic. Can anyone say subway map??? I'm really so excited to try this out.

Also, you can try making your own mosaic by going all the way down to the bottom of the website. Right now, it's the size for laptops only but still, it's so fun. The button to access it is here on the bottom of the site.

KanoThe Kano Computer Kit is now available for $99.99 (originally $149.99)

The Kano Computer Kit Bundle (which includes the Screen and Computer Kit) is available for $239.99 (originally $299.99)

Ooma - Internet Phones (I love this because my cell phone rings when my home phone is ringing and I can easily block callers instead of just yelling at helpless people or machines telling them not to call me anymore) You can integrate it with Apple Watch, Android Wear, Amazon Echo (I got one of these and it is awesome! I am Queen of my home!).

25% off storewide (new Boogie Boards only) + a free Jot 4.5” with every order + free shipping on all orders over $37. They said: We will be sending out e-mails each day that communicate the deal, while also emphasizing what the 25% discount means on a particular item in our line-up. Here’s a look at the creative calendar:

Thursday

6am: Overall deal announcement: Take 25% off everything plus Free Jot 4.5” with every order

3pm: 25% Everything and FREE Boogie Board Jot with every order!

Scribble n Play $34.99 $26.24 + Free Jot 4.5”

Friday

4am: Sync $119.99 $89.99 + Free Jot 4.5” (What is Sync? Pictured below: This one syncs to your phone or tablet, after you press sync, you can then erase and create a new page. Crazy! )

Osmo- Do you have an OSMO? No, why not? The OSMO is one of the best ways to maximize the usefulness of your iPad. Seriously, if I wrote a story about how to make your iPad be all it can be, I would say OSMO is one of the best ways. It's a great system built on top of a great system and the products are created in a way that you can buy more later.

When: starts Tuesday 11/22/16 and ends on Monday (end of day)

Details: 20% off all Osmo kits, on their website (playosmo.com) and also most retail outlets (full list below).

Fort BoardsThese look they were made for IKEA, don't they? They're so cute. I like to make little cubes and sit on them. (Okay, the kids sit on them but my big bottom has and they haven't collapsed… yet) Kids like to make tents and walls with these. I highly suggest that if you have the money and you believe in this kind of stuff then you should buy two big sets if you are able to get a discount. Yes, the kids can make a fort with your dining room table but if you don't want to go there, then this is a clean, collapsible, storable alternative.

​When: 9PM PST 11/24 through 11:59PM PST 11/28

Details: Discount on Amazon will be $25 dollars off AND free shipping!

On Cyber Monday they are launching a campaign on this page. The campaign features a gift guide with suggestions for children and includes a special offer. Check it out!

TeddyMozart Teddy Bear Speakers
Deal 30% off + Free Shipping (from $79) Promo code: iloveteddy
Who is Teddy Mozart? He's soft, cuddly, and fairly simple. Yes, you can get speakers that are cheaper and stick it into a bear but will your speakers tell you that they are on or off? Will your speaker hide in a well-made Viennese style hat and will your teddy sit upright for you always? There's more: he's got an app. (Of course he does) and the plans are to have content continuously added to it or you can just play your own books or songs. On a full charge, TeddyMozart can play all night long. Android only now but the makers promise iOS this month. Go Teddy- no tablets in the bed. What if they drool on them or it drops to the floor. No!!!! I need a Hamilton Teddy who raps and sings "I'm not throwing away my shot!" Fun Fact: both Alexander Hamilton and the inventor of TeddyMozart are from the Caribbean.

ANKI Overdrive
Discount: 20% off the starter kit and there will be discounts on bundles (11/20-12/17) This is one of those toys that kids get obsessed with fast. Then it can take a break and then make a huge comeback. I love watching kids play like this. The tablet or phone they use enhances the fun while still allowing both children to share their attention on a physical game. It's a good thing.

Cozmo by Anki Discount: $149.99 (normally $179.99) 11/24-11/26 Yeah, I know, it's only $30 off but guess what guys? My experience tells me that you will never ever sever jever see this on sale ever again. I'm honestly even surprised that something so new and so good and selling out so fast is on sale at all. It's up to you, I know it's huge. (More information on this later but know that this is one of my top five, if not my #1 favorite toy this year. I'm still making up my mind. Hint: you can't code it now but Anki is working on that and when it happens, it will be a free software upgrade- they promised me). Check my Amazon link for deals just in case.

Is on sale until 11/28 while supplies last. The above shown dolls only. My favorite Lotties are Fossil Hunter Lottie and Star Gazer Lottie but this Pirate Lottie looks very cool here. Check out those boots. That's right folks, these dolls can stand. No high heels on these girls. Thank goodness! Lottie accessories are interesting and make the users feel interesting too. It's hard to explain but the play is totally dignified without spoiling any of the fun. code: LOTTIESALE16

BB-8 by Sphero$99.99 (normally $149.99) from Black Friday through Cyber Monday. BaBaBaBa BeBe is one of BB-8's phrases and I don't know what it means but he is so cute and so cool.

$99.99 (normally $149.99) from Black Friday through Cyber MondayAlso check my links at Marbles for this. It will be 99.99 there too.

PlaymobilDeal: 25% OFF COUPON from PLAYMOBIL all setsNovember 24 - November 28, 2016; minimum order $50 Pictured is my hockey table which is just super cute and super usable. You can really play on it. Of course, it's not air hockey but with a splash of pretend and a drizzle of skill, you can have yourself an excellent game.

Beasts of Balance is a game of strategy and skill that combines a fun tabletop format with an interactive, connected app where you can watch your stacked up beasts come to life! The game is easy as Select, Stack and Strategize. Pick an Artefact, i.e. beast, touch it to the Pilth and stack it on the play-base. As you add connector pieces, you'll watch your beasts evolve into new creatures through the Bluetooth-enabled app on your iOS or Android tablet. Ages 7 and up. Go to http://beastsofbalance.com/Regular Retail: $109.99 for 20% off or check my link at Marbles for possible discount there.

Discount details: Merge will be dropping the price of their VR goggles to $59.99 for Black Friday and through the whole holiday season. What's special about these? I just started trying these out but they are quite comfy to use and you can just slip your phone which is rather convenient for me. They have their own Merge VR store for games.

Note: While there are many products listed here, those that are pictured have definitely been tested and loved by Toys As Tools testers. The products were submitted by the companies for evaluation. Reviews are never promised.